The Masonic Charities At Home And Abroad.

brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge found themselves in a position to guarantee the presentation of the costly regalia of a Grand Master to that gentleman , in the event of his receiving the office for which he was soadmirably fitted .

The province of Guernsey consists nominally of five lodges , namely , Doyle's Lodge , Mariner ' s Lodge , Loyalty Lodge , Hammond Lodge , and St . Anne ' s Lodge , Alderney . Hammond Lodge is , towever , practically united with Doyle ' s . The

oldest lodge is Mariners ' , Avhich was originally established in 1784 , under a charter from the < Grand Lodge of York , but Doyle's Lodge has

precedence on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , probably owing to the fact that Mariners ' may not have joined the Grand Lodge until after the issue of Doyle ' s charter . The working of Doyle's Lodge is all that could be wished ; the

brethren usually attend in considerable numbers , and are most attentive to their duties ; but the ¦ other lodges in Guernsey cannot be said to be up to the requisite standard in either respects . Probably Bro . Gallienne , if invested Avith the authority

of Grand Master , may be able to introduce improvements where necessary . We have heard an ¦ excellent account of St . Anne ' s Lodge , Alderney , but have not had the pleasure of visiting it .

The Masonic Hall in Guernsey is not large , but its formation and decorations are very good . In full lodge the arrangements of the room are such as to increase the solemnity and beauty of the ritual . The hall contains an harmonium , Avhich under the direction of Bro . Churchhouse , P . M ., adds greatly to the effectiveness of the

proceedings . In this notice of Freemasonry in Guernsey , we feel bound to accord " honour to Avhom honour is due , " and it is only right to say that many of the brethren of Doyle ' s Lodge have expressed to us their gratitude to Bro . Dr . Hopkins , UOAV of Totnes ,

for the kind manner in which during his residence there , he instructed the younger members of the Craft . The want of an able instructor is the reason why many lodges are improperly conducted , and every credit is due to men who like Bro . Dr .

Hopkins , devote their lives and fortunes to the advancement of our Order . Tiie Maoonic Hall at Guernsey is under the care of " Sister" Edwards , the widow of a worthy Mason who is not Jess proud of being the only female connected with Freemasonry , " as far she knows" than Bro . Scarchet is of his pure and

unadulterated Norman blood . When Bro . Edwards died the brethren evinced their respect for his memory by erecting a monument over his grave . Bro . Wakley Avas W . M . of Loyalty Lodge , and Bro . Brown , W . M ., of Mariners Lodge when we

were in Guernsey , and the former gentleman manifested his fraternal regard for Doyle's Lodge by assisting at its meetings as often as he possibly could . Interchanges of visits between members ' of lodges are of great serArice to the Order and

should be encouraged as far as possible . Among the brethren who added much to the pleasure of the banquets of Doyle's were Bros . W . H . Smithard now Principal Z . of Doyle ' s Chapter ; Smythson , P . M ., Avhose singing of " Corporal Casey" was

inimitable , and P . L . M . Nicolle who accompanied us on our visit to Rennes , and Avho sang Victor Hugo's French songs very beautifully . Among the notable brethren in Guernsey Bro . Le Page is perhaps unsurpassed for his knowledge

of the Craft and Royal Arch ritual . This brother has for many years been an active and industrous Mason , but increasing age will naturally curtail his labours for the future . We trust that the

Masonic mantle of worth and ability may descend to Bro . Le Page's son-in-law , Bro . Hunt , Senior Warden of Mariner's Lodge . It must' strike a stranger as remarkable that in an area so comparatively small as Guernsey , there

should be so many skilled brethren . In addition to those named already , there are many others Avho are fully competent to " work the lodge , " and among the rest Bros . Stickland , P . M . ; Sparrow , P . M ., aud Smithard , P . M . Under such auspices

Ave cannot but anticipate a bright future for the Craft in this province . In an obituary notice of Bro . Le Roy , of Jersey , in the Freemasons' Magazine for April 7 th , 1866 , it is stated that that brother was initiated in

Guernsey in the year l 8 l 2 , in the Lodge No . 222 of Ancient York Masons long since extinct . There appears to be nothing known of this lodge in Guernsey now , but doubtless information could be acquired , and it is to be hoped that some of our

literary brethren—of whom there are an unusual number in the island—will ere long prej : > are a " History of Freemsonry in Guernsey , " for Avhicb there exist ample materials , and Avhich Avould be of great general as well as local interest . No

doubt valuable information never could be obtained from the records of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons ,